Louis Rees-Zammit has it spelt out to him as NFL | NFL News

NFL Europe boss Brett Gosper has supplied contemporary insights into Louis Rees-Zammit‘s future. The ex-rugby winger – who spent 2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ follow squad with out making a recreation look – is at the moment back in his native Wales having fun with some downtime.

Gosper, who additionally served as World Rugby’s CEO, praised him on the ‘A Load Of BS On Sport’ podcast (by way of Wales Online), hosted by Dan Biggar and Daniel Ross. The govt was extremely complimentary of Rees-Zammit – who first signed with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier than becoming a member of the Jags final 12 months – and the work he has carried out to get as far as he has in NFL circles. And he was joined by one of the participant’s former Wales team-mates in Biggar, who was left in awe by one explicit statistic that would but deliver a crushing finish to Rees-Zammit’s goals of turning into an American soccer icon.

“He’s a great athlete,” mentioned Gosper. “There are very, very few examples of players like him – an athletic, ‘back’-like rugby player moving into a position like wide receiver or running back. We can’t believe we’d ever even see a quarter-back coming from a foreign market, it’s just too technical.”

Co-host Ross probed on the stark cultural contrasts between rugby and American soccer. And Gosper delivered an enlightening response, highlighting the huge distinction in help workers such as physios and nutritionists within the NFL in contrast to rugby.

“I remember hearing this stat when I first came in to the NFL,” added the Australian. “The average player only lasts 2.3 years. My initial reaction to that was, ‘That must mean that they really get knocked around a lot, and it’s an injury thing’.

“But it’s truly under no circumstances. It’s a competitors factor. Someone else comes alongside who is best in that place, and while you’re not performing, another person will get slotted in. It’s ruthlessly aggressive. I’m sure Louis is discovering that out at the moment as nicely. So many people need these positions and there is a line-up of prime athletes in America which makes that actually tough.”

Biggar – who starred for Wales when Rees-Zammit was first coming through the ranks – reflected at the end of the podcast, saying: “With Louis, he in all probability needed more than simply being a rugby participant. He needed to be a superstar, he needed to seize America and conquer it. But the turnover of gamers… I used to be amazed when he mentioned it was 2.3 years, the average.

“Louis in rugby is phenomenal. Top 1% of the athletes in rugby. But when he goes over to do the draft, with all the athletes in America, and the guys have been around for a lot longer, he’s just one of thousands, millions.

“He’s not in that bracket anymore, he is simply in amongst everybody else. I feel that is what is basically tough for guys going over there and attempting to break it, crack America and the NFL. There are guys that simply keep coming by way of 12 months after 12 months – 2.3 years is unbelievable, actually.”

The Jaguars’ failure to make the NFL play-offs at the end of the 2024/2025 season resulted in head coach Doug Pederson’s dismissal, with Liam Coen coming in as his replacement. Rees-Zammit was linked with a possible rugby comeback after his first Jaguars contract expired, but the former Gloucester sensation later opted to re-sign with the franchise.

“I’m excited to prolong my keep in Jacksonville by signing for an additional 12 months,” he said in the wake of his new deal. “While I do know it was a powerful season on the sector for the staff, I feel I made some great progress with my own recreation, and I’m wanting ahead to persevering with the onerous work and advancing my abilities even more, and imagine that Jacksonville is the place for me to do this. The future appears vibrant for the Jaguars with the appointment of Coach Coen and the remainder of the workers, and truthfully, I am unable to wait to get back to it.”

Meanwhile, the Welsh Rugby Union’s interim efficiency director, Huw Bevan, has left the door open for Rees-Zammit’s return to rugby. Speaking to MailOnline, he mentioned: “If that does come to an finish, he is of an age the place he might make a important contribution to us going ahead. We would welcome him back with open arms.”